Resident doctors in England have called off planned strike action after the government made a new offer regarding pay and career opportunities. The British Medical Association will now consult its members on the proposal.
The resolution of the doctors' strike averts further disruption to the National Health Service (NHS) and patient care, particularly during a period of high demand. It also signals a potential de-escalation in ongoing industrial disputes within the UK public sector.
Resident doctors in England have called off planned strike action after the government made a new offer that will be put to members. The British Medical Association (BMA) stated that the offer, which includes an average 6.6% pay uplift to be implemented by April 2027, was made at the last moment.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said that while the government had shifted its position, the offer did not fully address the erosion of pay since 2008. He noted that tens of thousands of doctors would now vote in a referendum on the offer. The government also committed to increasing speciality training posts by 4,000 by 2028.
Health Secretary James Murray welcomed the development, particularly for patients, and stated that the country could not afford to increase the pay offer further this year. Prof Frankie Swords, national medical director at NHS England, had noted the service faced significant pressure from the planned strike, which coincided with warm weather and the World Cup.